What should retailers look for in shopping cart software?

Industry Insight

There are hundreds of different shopping cart solutions out there, designed to serve any merchant with various needs. This leads to the inevitable question that every retailer must ask themselves: What should I look for in shopping cart software? Although there is no easy answer to that question, here are a few places to start:

Are they publishing new updates to fill security gaps and responding to the needs of the market?

1. Service

The retail landscape is constantly shifting and evolving, which makes it crucial that shopping cart software vendors react to the changing needs of retailers. The first thing to look for in shopping cart software is the service team behind it. Are they available to answer any questions? Are they publishing new updates to fill security gaps and responding to the needs of the market? How willing are they to work with retailers to ensure the software fits their specific requirements?

According to 3dcart, many shopping carts on the market offer no or a low amount of support (such as frequently asked questions or troubleshooting guides). While this may be adequate for some merchants, it will not be enough for others.

2. Integration

Shopping cart solutions are only one part of the bigger retail puzzle, and as such, they will need to be integrated seamlessly into existing technology stacks. If they cannot be brought onboard, retailers may encounter a number of data flow issues, such as having to take care of processes manually or constantly logging in and out of multiple systems.

3. Scalability & Flexibility

A solution that is a fit today may not be a fit a few years down the road because retailers grow and expand continuously. Merchants should always keep the scalability and flexibility of a solution in mind whenever they make an investment in new technology, as a scalable and flexible solution may be able to support the business for the unforeseeable future, increasing return on investment.

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